Ravens host free agent Mark Anderson for visit

Pictures of the Ravens game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

Jeff Zrebiec

Free agent defensive end Mark Anderson, who had 12 1/2 sacks in 19 games for the New England Patriots last season, was at the Ravens complex in Owings Mills today to meet with team officials, according to league sources.

It's unclear if the Ravens made him a contract offer, but Anderson would certainly help upgrade the Ravens' pass rush, which was one of general manager Ozzie Newsome's offseason priorities.

Anderson, a 28-year-old veteran of six NFL seasons, emerged last season with the Patriots, recording 29 tackles, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 16 regular-season games. Then, in the Patriots' three playoff games, he had 11 1/2 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks, include one against the Ravens in New England's AFC championship game victory.

Anderson, who played his college ball at Alabama, was a former fifth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2006. He had 12 sacks and four forced fumbles in his rookie season, but his numbers dropped significantly over the next four seasons with the Bears.